Tuesday night fire damages park's pool house in downtown St. John's

Platoon chief Ed Sears says RNC are investigating

Victoria Park pool house fire leaves day camp in limbo

A late night garbage fire in downtown St. John’s park was quick to be “knocked down” but has damaged an old pool house.

St. John’s Regional Fire Department platoon chief Ed Sears said initially they received a report of a garbage fire at the park Tuesday night, but seconds later a second call came in reporting the fire had travelled up the exterior of the pool house.

“We weren't there very long. Once we arrived on scene there, it was a very quick knock down. It was knocked down in a matter of minutes,” Sears told CBC News Wednesday morning.

He said afterwards they used thermal imaging cameras at the site to ensure the fire was completely put out and hadn’t reached further into the structure.

According to a media advisory from the St. John’s Regional Fire Department the call about the fire came in around 11:30 p.m. NT.

“[The fire] worked along the roof and then started to come out around the eave…but it was contained,” Sears said, adding the fire did result in some damage to the exterior of the structure, as well as smoke damage.

He said there were seven fire trucks and upward of 18 firefighters working at the scene. The weather also didn’t hinder their work, he said, adding it was a calm night with no wind, “So that certainly helped.”

Unfortunately, Sears said the pool house will need some work before it is able to be used again, adding community organizations use it for functions.

Sears said once the firefighters were done, the scene was turned over to the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary who are investigating.

CBC News asked the City of St. John's for an interview, as the building is owned by the city. It's unclear how programming will be impacted going forward.

"The city is still investigating the extent of the damage and impacts to upcoming programs," Jackie O'Brien said in an email to CBC News.

Since the police are still investigating, she said the city wouldn't be providing any further comment at this moment.

In an email sent Wednesday afternoon that was obtained by CBC News, the non-profit Friends of Victoria Park board of directors told parents and guardians the pool house is used as the group's summer camp. Given there is an investigation, “we do not yet have access to the building and are unable to determine the full extent of the impact on our camp operations.”

The group added it’s too early to say whether the camp will continue as planned, but they are working with the city on possible contingency plans.

“We recognize that this uncertainty may be concerning and we appreciate your patience as we gather more information,” it reads.

“We are committed to keeping families informed and will provide another update as soon as we have additional details to share.

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Elizabeth Whitten is a journalist with CBC News, based in St. John's.

With files from Katherine Crummey